Penny Hurst OAM

Born in London, Penny emigrated to Australia as a child. She was educated in Sydney – undertaking tertiary studies first in Chartered Accountancy and more recently in Philosophy and Education.

Penny comes from a family with a strong history of communal involvement.  Her uncle, Louis Klein, was Chairman of UIA in NSW whilst her aunt, Mona Klein, was founding Chair of UIA NSW Women’s Division.  Mona, together with Penny’s mother, Iris Jacobs, worked tirelessly to build Women’s Division; they were responsible for its growth into a strong, vibrant part of the NSW Campaign.

In 1998, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel, Penny was presented with the Keren Hayesod United Israel Appeal Yakir Award.

Penny currently holds, and has held, many positions in the UIA in Australia as well as other communal organisations including:

• United Israel Appeal of Australia National President, Federal Women’s Division, since 2001
• Chairman, NSW General Division Campaign, since 2002
• Chairman, NSW Women’s Division, 1997-2001; Co-Chairman, 1992-1997
• Chairman, North Shore Executive Committee, 1988-1991
• Executive Member, 1983-1987
• Member, since 1967

Other positions include:

• Vice-President, Shalom Institute, since 2004; Secretary, 2001-2004
• Appeal Co-Ordinator, Capital Appeal, 2001; Board Member, since 1999
• Director, Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce, NSW, since 1999
• Member, Board of Management, Masada College, 1992-1998

Penny lives in Sydney with her husband, Keith, and has three children  – Scott, Shane and Rebecca.